Iannetta continues to struggle

It's no secret that the Angels pitching has been a major issue this season, but Mike Scioscia said part of the issue stems from the catchers being unfamiliar with the new faces on the pitching staff.

"The pitcher-catcher relationship is critical, the most important thing on the field," Scioscia said, adding that it has improved lately. "This is all important stuff, and some things definitely got away from us. We're leading league in walks. Some things we need to be more proficient at."

Chris Iannetta began the season as the Angels everyday catcher, but Scioscia said he's going to mix in more of Hank Conger now because Iannetta is scuffling offensively and defensively.

Iannetta started Wednesday in a 3-1 loss to Houston, going 0-for-2 before Scott Cousins poinch hit for him.

Iannetta is in an 0-for-21 skid that dropped his average to .198. He had also thrown out just two of 23 would-be base-stealers, and he had let two passed balls and 14 wild pitches get past him.

"We want to get him a little more comfortable behind the plate," Scioscia said. "He's doing a good job, but he doesn't look like he's as comfortable as he needs to be."

Last season, Iannetta hit .240 and he threw out 16 of 62 base-stealers, which is about the league average.

--RF Josh Hamilton clubbed a solo home run in the seventh inning to end the shutout bid of Astros RHP Bud Norris. The home run was his third, with all three coming in his five games against the Astros.

--LHP Jason Vargas, fresh off a three-hit shutout of the Baltimore Orioles, is scheduled to start the series finale against the Houston Astros. Vargas issued two walks and struck out three in his 107-pitch, 4-0 victory, his first win of the season. Vargas leads the American League with two complete games. He took the loss in his only career appearance against the Astros on Sept. 15, 2005, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five innings in a 4-1 loss with the Marlins.

--RHP Ryan Madson followed a successful bullpen session Tuesday by departing for Arizona and extended spring training. Madson missed the entire 2012 season plus the opening month of 2013 recovering from Tommy John surgery. He will pitch at least twice in Arizona before joining high Class A Inland of the California League for a rehab assignment.

--DH Albert Pujols collected the 43rd extra-base hit of his career at Minute Maid Park, moving him ahead of Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez for the most extra-base hits by a visiting player. Pujols ranks 24th in extra-base hits at Minute Maid Park despite having played only 94 games there.

--SS Erick Aybar extended his hitting streak to 11 games and has now hit safely in 13 of his 15 games this season. His hitting streak marks the longest by an Angel in 2013 and the longest for Aybar since his 14-game streak from Aug. 31-Sept. 14, 2012.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "(Houston RHP starter Bud) Norris was pounding the zone with his fastball and slider. When we got pitches to hit, I thought we did a good job of squaring them up and putting runners in scoring position. But we just didn't get the key hits, we hit into double plays four times, and that certainly put a damper on our offensive momentum." -- Manager Mike Scioscia after a loss Wednesday.

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MLB Team Report - Los Angeles Angels - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--LHP Sean Burnett (left forearm irritation) went on the 15-day disabled list April 28. An MRI revealed no structural damage, and Dr. James Andrews confirmed that diagnosis May 7. Burnett will not throw for at least a week after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection May 6.

--RHP Jered Weaver (strained left elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 8. He was diagnosed with a non-displaced radial head fracture in the elbow. Weaver played catch from over 100 feet May 1 and has been playing long toss since May 4. He will need at least one or two rehab appearances, so he is not expected back with the club until early June.

--RHP Ryan Madson (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He threw a simulated game April 19 and was sent to rehab in Arizona in late April. He had scar tissue removed from his elbow in late April. He threw a bullpen session May 4. He is hoping to face hitters in extended spring training on May 9 and 10 and then begin a short rehab assignment the next week. He could be back as soon as May 17.

--CF Peter Bourjos (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list April 30.

--RHP Kevin Jepsen (tight right triceps, strained lat) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He was sent to extended spring training on April 24 and began throwing May 2. He will need a short rehab assignment before he can be activated.

--LHP Andrew Taylor (torn left labrum) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 9. He is not expected to need surgery.